Page 88 of Wish You Faith

“Let’s say grace before dinner gets cold.” With that, Sonya stopped any further discussion about Evan and Rosie’s impending separation. “Sweetie, would you pray?”

Rosie nodded and closed her eyes.

Evan reached over to hold her hand under the table.

“Father God, thank You for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, who was born humbly in a manger. He lived a perfect life on earth and died on the cross to save our souls from eternal death,” Rosie prayed. “Christmas reminds me that two more special days, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, are coming soon. Thank You, Jesus, for saving us from sins. You fill our hearts with love, peace, and joy in this Christmas season.”

Rosie paused briefly and then continued praying.

“Lord, please bless this food we’re about to eat. Let it be nourishment for our bodies so that we will be healthy in every way and be able to serve You without our bodies breaking down. Protect us and keep us safe. Thank You, Lord. I pray all these things in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.”

They passed the food around, and everyone commented on the green bean casserole that Dottie made.

“My mom’s recipe,” Dottie explained. “She’s in assisted living now and doesn’t cook anymore.”

Evan was surprised.

“Dottie’s mom is eighty-eight years old,” Rosie said for Evan’s benefit.

“I made some green bean casserole too,” Marcella said. “However, my grandkids ate a quarter of it at lunch today, so I couldn’t bring leftovers.”

“Family comes first,” Dottie said.

Evan noticed that Rosie and her mom were alike. They didn’t start conversations unless they had something important to say. When it came to small talk and banter, they listened more than they spoke.

Dinner went well with enjoyable conversation and fun company. When Dottie and Marcella finally got Sonya going, the latter couldn’t stop. She went through a litany of Rosie’s childhood memories, including her first bicycle ride, her love for her dad, and their family vacations everywhere.

Perhaps Sonya had reminisced about the past for Evan’s benefit. Evan felt that he knew Rosie more and more by listening to her life stories.

However, it was the present-day Rosie whom he loved the most. Sweet and caring. Honest and confident.

If Evan had to quit his VP position at Cavanaugh Shipping and drive a delivery truck just to be with Rosie, he’d gladly do it. He didn’t care about position or income. He wanted to be near Rosie, to walk with her through life.

However, he had to return to his VP position so that he could make the deal with Mom to let Rosie’s mom stay at Grandpa’s condo for the rest of her life. Mom held all the cards, and Evan would bend his knees if he had to. However, Mom had left her Hong Kong culture behind and hadn’t ordered him to kneel before her.

Nonetheless, Evan didn’t want Rosie to think that he was buying her vote for marriage. The thought bothered him, but he knew that Rosie wasn’t like that. She had indicated that she would be with him, even without knowing all the details about the trust fund.

He reached into his jean pocket to make sure that the ring was still there. When he had arrived on Tybee Island this morning, he had taken the ring out of its red velvet box and carried it in his pocket because he thought he might pop the question whenever he sensed that Rosie was ready.

Roast and ham and sides filled Evan’s tummy. “I’m stuffed.”

“Me too,” everyone echoed.

“I ate too much,” Dottie declared.

“What are we going to do with the pumpkin pies?” Marcella asked.

“I want some.” Sonya got out of her seat. “Who else?”

Everyone raised their hands.

“So much for being full.” Sonya chuckled. “As for me, I’ll go on a diet on the first of the new year.”

“You say that every December,” Marcella reminded her.

“I mean it too.” Sonya was in the kitchen with Rosie.

Evan watched mother and daughter cut generous slices of pumpkin pie for everyone. He smiled at their loving relationship. He prayed that Sonya’s cancer wouldn’t return for a long time to come. God had given her a new chapter in life.

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